31st May 1911: The White Star Liner, Titanic, is officially launched into the Victoria Channel from the Harland & Wolff shipyard. Fitting out commences following a successful launch at 12:13PM. She took 62 seconds to slide into the Ocean across a mixture of whale oil, soap, tallow and grease - and in the process injured a single worker who was removing the stay-timbers. He would later die in hospital. There was no pomp or ceremony (being White Star Policy) and work immediately began on the ship's funnels, boilers, engines, rooms et al. Her launch tonnage was 24,360 tons, and would reach over 22,000 tons heavier following fitting and registration. Just under a year later she would be ready for her fateful maiden voyage. #OTD #onthisday #RMSTitanic #Titanic #Titanichistory #history #heritage #edwardianhistory #edwardian #ship #thegreatship #Whitestarline #maritimehistory #maritime #harlandandwolff #launch #launchinh #31may #belfast #belfasthistory #whitestar
